Woah, I made you guys wait, didn't I? Sorry *bows* I had to rewrite it a bit and some school stuff came along and it took quite a while to get this chapter done. But I hope it was worth it ;)

Also, after this I have plans for a bit of Royal Pair drama, so don't be scared ;)

Ciel D'or Serendipite - no regulars, sorry, I just couldn fit them anywhere to make it work :( Maybe I'll do a sequel in the not-so-near future, though, so don't lose hope ;) And I can't tell you how much I love your comments, they're like those stars in broad daylight for me ;*

PheonixShadow - I know, right? ;) They're just destined to be together ^^

GrimmIchiUlqui21 - awwww, thank you so much~ It feels really great when the thing you worked on so much gets praised, thank you! As for Ryoma's injury, no, I won't mention it, it wasn't important for the plot. It was all about Fuji's reaction and how he would cope with Ryoma's amnesia, and about Ryoma falling in love with Fuji all over again, even without his memories to support it. Thank you for your review, hope to hear from you again :)

All said, the last chapter, enjoy yourselves, guys ;)

They won. They won the Nationals.

Shuusuke still couldn't believe it, as they were all sitting an hour after the closing ceremony at Kawamura Sushi. It was like a dream, everything today was like a dream. First Ryoma being late and the bad feeling Shuusuke had about it, the Singles 3 lost by Tezuka, then the Doubles 2 lost by Inui-Kaidoh pair, Ryoma's lost memory, his desperate attempts to get it back and then Ryoma's painful match with Yukimura. Everything was so fresh in his mind, his emotions still high and raw.

Something touched his shoulder and Shuusuke looked to the side to see his little prince leaning against him, while covering a yawn with one hand. He smiled softly. So much worry, so much heartache he had gone through today because of this guy and still he couldn't be happier.

Reaching out, he took another sushi roll and popped it into his mouth. They were sitting in the back of the restaurant, leaving their teammates more space to go wild, which they didn't even have to be invited to.

'Eiji-senpai, that's mine!' Momo went off running after the smiling Eiji, who was happily munching on the stolen anago.

'Nope, it's already mine, since I ate it,' Eiji stopped to give Momo back the now empty plate.

'Mou, Eiji-senpai…!'

Chuckling softly at the immature behaviour of his best friend, Shuusuke felt even more weight lean on him and looked again at Ryoma, who placed his head on Shuusuke's shoulder and seemed to be dozing off. With an affectionate smile he touched his little boyfriend's cheek and stroked it gently, waiting for the eyelids to flutter open.

'Want to use my lap instead?' he asked with a smile, as the gold orbs looked at him drowsily.

Ryoma shifted his position, so that he wasn't leaning against him anymore, clearly debating his options. Finally, he shrugged and laid his head on Shuusuke's lap, breaking into another yawn. Seigaku's genius chuckled lightly and took off Ryoma's cap. A slight pout appeared on his lips, but it quickly faded as Shuusuke started to comb his fingers through the greenish hair. With a content sigh Ryoma went to sleep yet again.

Turning away from his boyfriend's sleeping face, Shuusuke noticed Tezuka looking at him with a frown. Without stopping his petting of the greenish curls, he locked his cerulean eyes on their captain.

'Is something wrong, Tezuka?' his voice was warm, inquiring.

'Since when are you and Echizen so close?' the stoic captain asked, his eyes narrowed.

For a second Shuusuke was baffled. And then everything, everything became clear to him. The whole 'be Seigaku's pillar of support' thing and why Tezuka looked angry right now. He had a crush on Ryoma. Shuusuke wanted to laugh, laugh hard, but he controlled himself for the sake of his captain's feelings. Who would have thought that someone that stoic could fall in love. And in someone as cocky and challenging as Ryoma, at that. The most interesting question though, was how come he himself didn't notice that? Usually he was rather perceptive and could connect the simple glances and words together. Now, however, it seemed like his reading of Tezuka was completely off the mark.

'Since the semi-finals,' Shuusuke answered, focusing on observing his friend.

'I see,' Tezuka said, his eyes not leaving Shuusuke's face, probably with the intention to intimidate. 'Is there something more going on between you two'

'Even if there was, that would be none of your concern, Tezuka,' he smiled, closing his eyes.

This was going in a dangerous direction, Shuusuke knew, but Tezuka was clearly jealous, and now that the Nationals were over he wouldn't hesitate to make his move on Ryoma, given the chance. Too bad for him, because Shuusuke was giving no such chances. Not to him, not to anyone. Ryoma was his, and his alone.

From the corner of his eye he saw that Inui, even though looking disinterested in their conversation, was listening quite intently to every word they exchanged. Shuusuke's smile sharpened. He would have to have a little chat with the mad scientist later.

'It is my concern, since you are both regulars and members of the tennis club,' Tezuka's excuse made him want to laugh again. Who was he trying to fool?

'And I'm graduating soon, you too, if I remember correctly,' he shot the stoic captain a pointed look, 'and we just won the Nationals, so tell me, what is it that you are worried about, Tezuka?' he wanted to show him that Ryoma was his, just to make him realize that he could never have him.

He watched as the teen mulled over the next move. He saw how he told himself that if Ryoma was happy, then he should let him be and be happy for him. If only Tezuka knew how expressive his eyes could be for someone, who could read people as well as Shuusuke could. His smile widened when he heard the captain sigh.

'Just make sure you won't hurt him,' Tezuka looked at him sternly form behind his glasses.

'If I ever do, you have my permission to punish me in any way you see fit,' Shuusuke answered, opening his eyes to show Tezuka that he was dead serious.

They stared at each other for a long while, neither wanting to step down. Finally, Tezuka nodded his head once and got up, leaving their table to go to talk to Oishi. Relaxing a bit, Shuusuke turned his head to Inui. A predatory, dangerous smile appeared on his face.

'I trust that everything you just heard will reach no other ears, right, Inui?' he asked in sweet voice, seeing how nervous that made the dataman.

'Of course, Fuji,' he answered, adjusting his glasses. 'But out of pure curiosity, is that true?'

'It is,' Shuusuke relaxed, his smile losing its sharp edge and turning back to normal.

'Hmm… Interesting,' Inui muttered to himself. 'I didn't see that coming…'

Shuusuke only smiled at that some more, his hand returning to Ryoma's hair. No wonder Inui couldn't predict this, since both, he and Ryoma, were true enigmas when it came to their behaviour outside of tennis courts. Even he himself would have said some time ago that Ryoma would end up with Tezuka. But he didn't take into account Ryoma's own desires.

And now, having witnessed them first hand, he knew that there was no one other than him in the little prince's mind. Their love for the thrill, the challenge always present in their interactions, and the undeniable attraction they felt towards each other were what drew them together.

Because they were destined to be and there could be no one else to provide them with the thrill, with this burning passion they were both addicted to.

RYOMA'S POV

It was a couple of days later when Ryoma was asked by Tezuka-buchou to stay after the practice. He was curious, it wasn't every day that the ever-so-collected captain wanted to talk to him. What could he want? Did it maybe have something to do with looks he got from him every now and then? The much too long gazes and the averting of the eyes when he tried to connect them with his own was out of character for the proud man.

Ryoma slowly changed out of his sweaty training clothes and went for the showers. During the last few weeks he got used to that pair of brilliant cerulean eyes watching his every move. It made him feel happy, ecstatic even, to know that he got Shuusuke's attention unconditionally. A lazy smirk came across his face, when he felt a hand move to his lower back.

'What did Tezuka want?' a silky whisper ghosted over his ear, as Shuusuke appeared at his side.

'To talk,' Ryoma looked up and his eyes were caught into deep pools of azure fire.

'About?' something entered Shuusuke's voice, making Ryoma highly alert.

'I don't know,' he answered, stepping under the hot stream of water.

Scrubbing his body clean with the lavender soap, Ryoma wondered about the whole thing. Ever since the Nationals he noticed the unnameable tension between Tezuka-buchou and Shuusuke. It wasn't that obvious kind of dislike, like with Momo-senpai and Kaidoh-senpai, it was more subtle, hardly noticeable, really, but Ryoma always watched Shuusuke, carefully, perceptively, persistently, and he knew that something was not right. And now Tezuka-buchou wanted to talk to him.

Turning one eye towards his boyfriend, he couldn't help but admire. Every though disappeared from his mind, as he watched droplets of water slowly travel down the perfect skin on Shuusuke's back and chest. The elegant fingers, more like an artist's than a tennis player, were gliding across the muscles Ryoma longed for from afar, and now could have them under his own hands. Breathing deeply to calm his racing heart, he turned the warm water down, standing in the stream of liquefied ice.

'It would be a shame if you caught a cold,' two hot hands set flames to his stomach.

'You could nurse me back to health, you know,' Ryoma smirked, looking up at Shuusuke. 'Wouldn't that be fun.'

A low chuckle was the only response he got, before his ear was bitten playfully and he was released. Eyes wide from surprise, Ryoma turned to see Shuusuke's retreating back. Muffling a chuckle, he switched the water off. It was just like his boyfriend to tease him, and then leave him shocked and confused.

Drying himself up and hanging the towel around his hips, he left the showers. And stopped, his eyes immediately sharp and focused. Shuusuke's hand was propped on a shelf much too close to Tezuka-buchou's head. His face was much too close to Tezuka-buchou's face. His smile much too sharp to be anything other but threatening. And his eyes… Ryoma has never seen them so cold, so dangerous. Even during Shuusuke's match with Mizuki he looked imposing, but controlled. Yet now, he was someone Ryoma didn't want to mess with. Well, he did, a bit, but only because he had the confidence that Shuusuke would never harm him.

'What are you two doing?' seemingly indifferent to the scene, he walked to his locker.

'Talking,' Shuusuke's eyes turned to him and, as on cue, they changed to those passionate ones that caught Ryoma's heart and soul.

'I can see that,' Ryoma replied sarcastically. He quickly put on his clothes and took his bag, without looking at either one of them. 'I'll meet you near the courts,' he said to Tezuka-buchou. 'And you can wait for me by the entrance, if you want to,' he cocked an eyebrow at his boyfriend.

'Oh, I will,' a dangerous edge appeared in Shuusuke's smile. 'I will.'

A lazy smirk graced Ryoma's lips. He made his way to the exit, but he managed to catch the pair of hazel eyes and the sorrow and hurt he saw in them made his heart clench a bit. What was that? What the hell was that? Since when was the stoic captain so emotional? And what was all that with Shuusuke? Ryoma was so confused. Everything was fine mere weeks ago. What changed? He was so engrossed in his thoughts that he didn't even notice Tezuka-buchou coming up to him.

'Echizen,' he turned around to face his captain, who looked tired in a way Ryoma never saw before.

'Are you okay, buchou?' he was concerned, really. Tezuka-buchou was someone, whom he learned to respect and look up to.

'Aa…' the teen took a step closer to him. 'I wanted to tell you something…'

Ryoma stood watching him. It wasn't like his captain to be so reserved, so timid. Usually he would have said what he wanted to without any pause, and even in the presence of the others. It was worrying. Ryoma couldn't put his finger on what it was, but he had an unpleasant feeling deep in his gut. Something was not right, seriously not right… If only he would-

'I have feelings for you.' What? Wait, what? Ryoma blinked in confusion. What did he just say? He had feelings… What?

'What do you mean?' Ryoma asked, trying to figure out the meaning behind the cryptic behaviour of the man before him.

Tezuka-buchou adjusted his glasses, which brought Ryoma's attention to his eyes. Hazel eyes that gave him so much comfort when he needed it most. Those eyes that watched over him, watched his progress. Now, they were shining with something similar to Shuusuke's, but Ryoma still couldn't place it.

'I like you,' Tezuka-buchou's calm voice brought him back to reality.

'I like you too…' he was still confused. Of course he liked his captain, he was like an older brother, wiser, someone to go to for any kind of advice, a friend.

A ghost of a wry smile appeared on the other teen's face, shocking Ryoma into breathless silence. What was going on? He never, ever, saw him smile like that. He didn't see him smile at all, if his memory was correct. But here he was, staring right at that right corner of his captain's mouth, which was slightly lifted up. Too little to be called a smile, but too uncharacteristic of Tezuka Kunimitsu to be passed unnoticed.

'I should have known this will be the case with you,' Tezuka-buchou sighed, looking away from him. 'I'm in love with you.'

The black hole. That seemed to be an appropriate term for what was happening inside Ryoma's head. All coherent thoughts were being swallowed before his mind could register their existence. He was too shocked to think, to speak, to breathe. Tezuka-buchou was in love. With him. Oh god…

'I…' he croaked through his clenched throat. He felt lightheaded. 'I…' he struggled to form any sentence at all. And he couldn't. Black blots played before his eyes. It was too much of a shock. 'I can't…'

He shook his head. He was with Shuusuke, he loved him. There was nothing to think about, nothing to be concerned with. Calming his erratic heart rate, Ryoma felt as if he came out of water. It was so clear, his mind, his head, his heart. There was only one answer, no need to panic.

'I love Shuusuke,' he said, noticing how Tezuka-buchou's eyes narrowed momentarily.

He didn't know what else to say. Even though his captain looked as calm and collected as always, after being part of the team for so long, Ryoma saw those simple changes. The glint in the eyes, the tightening of his jaw, the way his lips pursed. Somewhere deep down Ryoma wanted to get back his words, just to make the pain go away from those stoic features.

But he didn't. He couldn't. Because even though it was painful, he knew he had to be true to his own feelings, to Tezuka-buchou, to Shuusuke.

'Maybe if you didn't let us play that day in the rain…' he all but whispered. 'Maybe it would be different…'

Turning around, he moved to leave. There was nothing more to say, he didn't want to be there any longer. He wanted to give Tezuka-buchou time to recollect himself, to get back to his usual stoic self. He felt strange, sad, overwhelmed, sore. He just wanted to sleep it all off using Shuusuke as a pillow.

'Wait,' a hand on his arm stopped him from walking away. Ryoma turned over his shoulder to look at his captain. 'If he ever hurts you, remember, I'll be waiting.'

'No!' Ryoma protested immediately, shaking his head. 'I have too much respect for you to treat you as a replacement for Shuusuke,' he gently took Tezuka-buchou's hand from his arm, and squeezing it lightly, he let it go. 'Move on.'

And he left with his head spinning and emotions far from under control. There was just no way he could run away from Shuusuke into someone else's arms. Even if he hurt him, even if he could never forgive him. And making Tezuka-buchou wait was just cruel. Who knows how long would it take? Two months, two years, 20 years… He would have to look at them, all happy and in love…

Ryoma quickly abandoned the thought, as his throat clenched painfully. He would never be that kind of person, never.

Turning the corner, he saw Shuusuke standing there with his back leaned against the wall and face turned up to the sun. Hearing how his heart started beating in his ears, Ryoma practically run the rest of the way. Without thinking much he threw himself at his boyfriend. He needed it, this safety and warm assurance he felt from Shuusuke's arms, circling around him. He breathed deeply, his headache going back under control. This was what he wanted. Shuusuke.

'Are you okay, Ryoma?' Shuusuke's voice was calm, too calm. His fingers caught Ryoma's chin and pulled it up to make their eyes meet. 'He didn't do anything to you, did he?'

Ryoma smiled weakly, 'No, he didn't.'

'So what did he want?' Shuusuke cupped his cheek, his eyes open, attentive.

Ryoma hesitated. This tension between his boyfriend and Tezuka-buchou, could it be because of that? Because they both had feelings for him? He blinked. That would explain a lot. Shuusuke was a dangerously possessive type, after all. But, hey, that was what made him the one Ryoma fell for. His lips stretched in his usual lazy smirk.

'Just to make you jealous,' he saw a glint of the icy fire flash through those cerulean eyes. 'But I told him that I'm yours,' his smile softened and he raised his hand to Shuusuke's, which still rested on his cheek, 'and I'll be yours forever.'

'I like the sound of that,' Shuusuke's smooth voice touched something deep inside Ryoma's heart.

And when he was kissed, he clung to him with all his might, with everything he got. Because this was what he wanted. Shuusuke was all he wanted. His eyes, those beautifully petrifying cerulean orbs that trapped his heart. His kisses, hot and passionate, making him feel alive. His arms, keeping him safe and giving him a place to belong.

This was what Ryoma wanted, what he always craved for. Since the very first time he saw Shuusuke play, this thrill of emotional rollercoaster never left. They were just bound to be together, from the beginning, from the moment cerulean met gold. They were destined to be. Ryoma couldn't be happier that he got addicted to this thrill, that he got addicted to Shuusuke.

And he wouldn't change a thing.

THE END

So, what do you think? Too much drama? ^^ And to my mind Ryoma is a bit OOC, but well, it worked, I think. Gimme your thoughts? *grabby hands*